therealdeal wrote:It's disturbing how great a game he played. I don't remember the last time I saw him that focused and intense. If he can duplicate that just 3 more times, this series is over.

Straight up. Bottom line is - he's going to get this championship. Doesn't matter what anyone on the Magic does. If he has to score 100 points in game 7 just to do it, then book it. He will make it happen. He won't have to. But he would if necessary. Nothing will stop him now. He's too close. Kobe

therealdeal wrote:It's disturbing how great a game he played. I don't remember the last time I saw him that focused and intense. If he can duplicate that just 3 more times, this series is over.

Straight up. Bottom line is - he's going to get this championship. Doesn't matter what anyone on the Magic does. If he has to score 100 points in game 7 just to do it, then book it. He will make it happen. He won't have to. But he would if necessary. Nothing will stop him now. He's too close. Kobe

I agree. A thought just came to me of Jerry West and his determination to win. I wasn't old enough to remember watching him play, but my father never stopped raving about him. Kobe's determination is frightening. Even after his amazing performance, he was immediately dismissive, waiting for the next game. I love it.

Bryant's biggest forte at this advanced stage of his career is knowing how to pick his spots... He is doing an excellent job of sensing the time to take over when needed while keeping his teammates involved. Bryant is "managing" games instead of trying to "overwhelm" opponents like he did two or three years ago. Tonight, Bryant started the series in rip-roaring fashion.

Last edited by gcclaker on Thu Jun 04, 2009 10:48 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Yep Real, he's right there in that "zone." Pure game face. Pure focus. It's winning time now. This will shut Van Gumby up with all that "Last series the media was all about Lebron, now it's Kobe this, Kobe that" nonsense. Those guys on the floor know damn well they can't stop this guy. He's not Lebron, he's a much deadlier, smarter player who has been here before and gone all the way - something none of them but an ex-teammate Ty Lue has done. Kobe's the assassin and he's going to just keep on killin' 'til there's no one left to stop him out there on the court. Who is going to stop him? Turkeyglue, Rashard, Pietrus? Howard?

Nope. Battier and Artest couldn't even stop him and those are the best two in the league. The old adage is true, whatever didn't kill Kobe in the earlier rounds just made him stronger. The Magic are mentally infantile compared to Kobe. He's owned guys like Turk and Pietrus for years.

What is more important other than Bryant's pyrotechnics on the offensive end is his ability to switch on the perimeter defensively on Turkuglo, Lewis and Pietrus. That was instrumental in keeping Orlando's outside shooting from finding its rhythmn.

GOAT, MVP, the best player in bball period. Kobe is the driver and the fuel that this team lives on.

Derek Fisher is the heart and soul of this team- Kobe(Black Mamba)When we win it, it's going to taste much sweeter knowing I played with the injury- Andrew(Lionheart)Tomorrow is another opportunity to accomplish great things- Pau(Pauwer)Ron Artest is the Game 7 MVP- Phil(Zen Master)Q:Pierce says series isn't coming back to LA? A: [Mean Stare]- Derek(President)If we don't win the championship, it's my fault- Ron(Tru Warier)

Through three quarters of Game 1 Thursday night he had 36 points in 33 minutes of action, making him the first player to score more than 35 points in less than 35 minutes since Michael Jordan had 39 in 34 the "Shrug Game" in the 1992 Finals.

Bryant became only the fourth player to have a 40/8/8 (points/rebounds/assists) in an NBA Finals game, joining Jerry West (1969), Michael Jordan (1993) and Shaquille O'Neal (1992).

Through three quarters of Game 1 Thursday night he had 36 points in 33 minutes of action, making him the first player to score more than 35 points in less than 35 minutes since Michael Jordan had 39 in 34 the "Shrug Game" in the 1992 Finals.

Slava laughed at the suggestion his skills might be affected by the down time. "Are you kidding?" he said. "Basketball is like ball. It's all a circle."

Through three quarters of Game 1 Thursday night he had 36 points in 33 minutes of action, making him the first player to score more than 35 points in less than 35 minutes since Michael Jordan had 39 in 34 the "Shrug Game" in the 1992 Finals.

Bryant became only the fourth player to have a 40/8/8 (points/rebounds/assists) in an NBA Finals game, joining Jerry West (1969), Michael Jordan (1993) and Shaquille O'Neal (1992).